Former NBA star Orlando Woolridge dies at age 52

MANSFIELD, La. — Former NBA standout Orlando Woolridge has died at his parents’ home in Mansfield, La. He was 52.

DeSoto Parish Chief Deputy Coroner Billy Locke said Woolridge died Thursday night. He had been under hospice care for a chronic heart condition.

Woolridge was a first-round draft pick of the Chicago Bulls in 1981 and played in the NBA for 13 years. He was a star at Mansfield High School before going on to play for Notre Dame.

He played for the Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, New Jersey, Philadelphia and Detroit, and also coached the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA.

One of the league’s most prolific dunkers, Wooldridge averaged 16.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 28.3 minutes in 851 games. After ending his NBA career, Woolridge spent his final two seasons playing professionally in Italy.

The 6-foot-9 Woolridge averaged 10.6 points in 109 games at Notre Dame, helping the Fighting Irish reach the NCAA Tournament in each of his four collegiate seasons.

Woolridge is survived by his three children, Zachary, Renaldo and Tiana; by his parents, Mattie and Larnceen; his sister, Dr. Vanessa Woolridge Duplessis; his brother-in-law, Darren Duplessis; and his nephew, Nigel Duplessis.